He is hitting well, but it has been mentioned a few times that the Twins outfield defense is significantly better without him in the field.
Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez (2-5) left in the second inning because of a right elbow flexor strain, and Marlins left-hander Justin Nicolino exited after three scoreless innings due to a blister on his left index finger. Velasquez will go on the disabled list, manager Pete Mackanin said. Velasquez said he had a similar injury in the minors and is optimistic he's not seriously hurt.
Gonzo hero http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19529574/ex-mlb-player-luis-gonzalez-helps-woman-car-wreck
Matt Albers 2 saves, 1.29 ERA/3.14 FIP/3.14 xFIP for the Nationals. Nationals have 2 relievers with an xFIP under 4.49. Astros, while pitching in the much stronger league with the DH, only has Gustave, Jankowski, and Guduan above 4.49. Sipp could be setup guy or the Devenski role for Nats.
Since we're all posting about former relievers... Josh Fields: 23 innings, 0.91 WHIP, 27 Ks, 1.57 ERA
Quote from Timmy Bogar on starting pitcher usage from Fangraphs Sunday Notes: This may ultimately benefit the starters in the playoffs but the whole killing the pen bit doesn't really hold water in current times. 1) the game is far more reliant on talented young and/or injury prone arms than ever before. Guys like LMJ, Musgrove, Morton or Rich Hill need to be protected especially if the team is planning to go deep in the playoffs. The better teams have gone away from throwing absolute innings-eaters; you won't see the Astros doing what the Rangers did with Cashner last night. 2) If anything, with the bullpen expansions, the general trend is fewer appearances per year per reliever. Brad Lidge made 80 freaking appearances in 2004, basically pitching every other game/day. The Astros have a bunch of guys on-pace for high 60's/low 70's appearances. Honestly kinda surprised they haven't DL'ed a few relievers for breaks like they've done with the starters. I bet they will at some point.
Yeah, the trade where the Astros didn't flat out win it or at least push in terms of value was the Fiers/Gomez and Hader/Santana/Philips deal. Gómez was released, Fiers is hanging on by a thread. Meanwhile Santana is looking legit. Header is a top prospect. And Philips seems to be making good adjustments on his hitting, and being a plus defender he'll have a job at the minimum as a 4th OF'er. I've got to hand it to Milwakee, they turned 3 veterans (Gomez, Fiers, and Lucroy) into a deep viable farm system. But you can't win them all. Luhnow had done well overall.
Looks like Neshek may be going to the Nats https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/06/nationals-trade-rumors-pat-neshek-phillies.html Not inconceivable the Stros may face him in the WS...